We locate important connections for youth

The Family Engagement Program is designed to locate relatives and important connections for youth in ODHS custody, as well as engage these individuals in supporting the youth.

Our Family Engagement Specialists are skilled at relative search and use a variety of platforms to find and connect with people. They are also trained by Seneca Family Services in specific techniques for family engagement. The program serves all counties in the state and youth of any age.

The primary goal is to expand the connections youth have and involve kith and kin in the youth’s case planning.

Now open for referrals!

What’s in it for you as a caseworker?

• Someone to seek out relatives and do the initial engagement work with them

• Someone to engage the youth in exploring and expanding their support network

• Someone who can support initial connections and visits for youth with kith/kin

• Someone to help build a stronger support system around your youth and potentially expand placement options

“The single factor most closely associated with positive outcomes for children is meaningful, lifelong connections to family.”

The National Institute for Permanent Family Connectedness

Our team holds the following family finding values to be true:

1. Every child has a family. They can be found if we try.

2. Loneliness can be devastating, even dangerous, and is experienced by most children in out-of-home care.

3. A meaningful connection to family helps a child develop a sense of belonging.

4. The single factor most closely associated with positive outcomes for children is meaningful, lifelong connections to family.

For more information

Questions? Contact Julie Kinney-Rouleau at 503.542.2380 or jkinneyrouleau@boysandgirlsaid.org.